Evo Maserati Ghibil

[urbanmaser]

Have to say that I was very apprehensive about a V6 Maserati engine even if it is by Ferrari but after seeing this road test my fears were unfounded. I haven't changed my mind about the diesel ...........what a terrible thought Maserati diesel YUCK


[video=youtube;MgybM03RuP8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgybM03RuP8[/video]

 

[BennyD]

Personally, I think the diesel is a very good move if they are to make the volume they want and I am seriously thinking about one to replace my BM in the next 3 years. A Ghibli D as an everyday car and the spyder for those weekend blasts; it all sounds rather good to me.

 

[urbanmaser]

Benny its unthinkable........I thought you were a man of great taste and class. Maserati diesel????????? Just doesn't sound right

 

[BennyD]

I'm not building the dam thing, I just think it is a car they have to build to compete in the modern day market place. I remember the grief Jaguar got when they announced their first Diesel and now the lions share of Jags seem to be diesel. Who would have thought a diesel Porsche? It's happening fella, try it, you might like it.

 

[Marc777]

I'm not building the dam thing, I just think it is a car they have to build to compete in the modern day market place. I remember the grief Jaguar got when they announced their first Diesel and now the lions share of Jags seem to be diesel. Who would have thought a diesel Porsche? It's happening fella, try it, you might like it.

And one day it will be electric ......

I am in the Cote D'Azur at the moment, Antibes, and everyday super cars drive along the coast blipping their throttles. Audio is an important part of high end car ownership, but it's not the only thing. I am excited by the V6, as it seems to produce both economy and reliability and so it CAN be a compromise and used every feckin day, which is certainly what I have to have as I just don't have the budget for an equivalent weekend car....

And I may well consider diesel having had 2 years with an outstanding 350 Merc CLS diesel; the torque and power ..... Just not the audio LOL ..... Let's see what the diesel sounds like


Marc

 

[Gary687]

Personally I'm not overly-keen on the whole Maserati diesel as a concept as for me diesels go against the whole 'sporting' thing but as has been pointed out, if producing one ensures survival and thus a thriving company then what choice? I guess if others have grasped the nettle successfully then why not the Trident?
As an aside, on Harry's review he talks of the car starting at 52,000GBP. Over here, the base model is apparently going to be $150,000, then we have the mythical 'on road costs' of various taxes (including stamp duty!) plus other things that add another 10% roughly - that makes the base model about $165,000. It beggars belief the way we get gouged over here - I know it's been discussed at length before and nothing will ever change but jeez it really upsets me!!!!!! Can't even claim exclusivity over the sun from you guys now seeing you've had such a great run of late!
G

 

[BennyD]

I may have to disagree with the 'diesels go against the sporting thing' bit as my 335D is chipped to approx 330bhp and 500+lbs/ft and can cover ground very quickly. It has already embarrassed some higher end car drivers especially when they saw the D badge as I went past. Sure, it doesn't make a great sound but I have the spyder which more than makes up for its lack of voice. I would want the Ghibli as a quick, economical every day car that could tour, commute but still make my blood flow when the ocassion presented itself. Horses for courses, but I suspect a lot of Diesel BM and Merc owners will switch for the kudos of a more exotic marque and may eventually trade up to a V6 petrol etc.

 

[MAF260]

I agree, Ian. Just take a look at which cars have won at Le Mans for the past few years when discussing the diesel/sporting debate.

 

[Andyk]

UM, agree....I was warming to the car already and then watched the above the other week and now I'm hooked on this car...An everyday Maserati.

 

[dickygrace]

Personally I'm not overly-keen on the whole Maserati diesel as a concept as for me diesels go against the whole 'sporting' thing but as has been pointed out, if producing one ensures survival and thus a thriving company then what choice? I guess if others have grasped the nettle successfully then why not the Trident?
As an aside, on Harry's review he talks of the car starting at 52,000GBP. Over here, the base model is apparently going to be $150,000, then we have the mythical 'on road costs' of various taxes (including stamp duty!) plus other things that add another 10% roughly - that makes the base model about $165,000. It beggars belief the way we get gouged over here - I know it's been discussed at length before and nothing will ever change but jeez it really upsets me!!!!!! Can't even claim exclusivity over the sun from you guys now seeing you've had such a great run of late!
G

Gary, you'll have to come and live here. It's been 25-30 degrees everyday for a month, we've got cheap cars, proper beer and high quality sports teams to watch

 

[Gary687]

Benny D I shall have to bow to your greater knowledge on the diesel thing as I've only ever driven awful diesels not the lovely ones you have and based on that I'd never get one. Plus over here diesel cars cost more than their petrol counterparts and diesel itself is more expensive so any more mpg is easily offset by the additional purchase price and added cost of the actual fuel so still not for me. And they sound like a tractor too!

Dicky-too many other issues going on over there (and too many good ones over here!) for me to return but you have a good point about the sporting teams!!!!
G

 

[urbanmaser]

You would never see Ferrari diesel..... there are other ways of making a car economic on fuel without making something that sounds like a load of thrashing tin cans on start up The Lord of Cars has spoken

 

[conaero]

Well, I am getting hooked. Thought I might go Soot Chucker but after Harrys insights...how could I.

So, what do we recon the engineering difference between the petrol and the S is then, just tuning?

2 year old petrol and S, list £55k and £65k with a few extras, what do we recon they will be worth?

 

[Andyk]

Matt, I was impressed that Harry thought the standard car was good enough and you should only go S if you are a power junky...plus save yourself 10k.....

 

[BennyD]

The price of fuel is only ever likely to go one way and it isn't down. I have enough large fuel bills keeping the spyder on the road so I don't need more of the same keeping an everyday car going. I am more than happy having just one large V configuration Italian petrol engine.

 

[urbanmaser]

Matt, I was impressed that Harry thought the standard car was good enough and you should only go S if you are a power junky...plus save yourself 10k.....

That difference in power between standard car and the S should cut at least a second off 0 to 60. We may even see an everyday Maserati that is sub 4 seconds

 

[BennyD]

It will be interesting to see how much extra the chip-tuners will be able to squeeze out of the diesel. Starting with 275 they should, hopefully, be able to get 310-320 out of a single turbo V6 and sh!tloads of torques. Now that sounds good.

 

[Andyk]

That difference in power between standard car and the S should cut at least a second off 0 to 60. We may even see an everyday Maserati that is sub 4 seconds

More interested in the in gear push than 0 - 60...I know its a measure but it doesn't really show the true performance.

 

[BennyD]

...and that's where diesels shine.

 

[outrun]

I can see one of these in my future as an everyday driver. I used to think that sports cars should be petrol and manual only but now I have a CC Gransport and a Geartronic diesel Volvo V40 company car. Things change.

I reckon leave it for a year or two, then the diesel will be more sorted and a no brainer when compared to big Mercs, Beemers etc.

Love it.